The Swiss German Christmas words that expats need to know

It’s safe to say that Switzerland really does come alive at Christmas. However, if you are new to the country, or haven’t started down the long road to learning German, it can be tricky to figure out what all the festive words mean. From traditional greetings to food, here are the Swiss German Christmas words and phrases you need to know.

Essential Christmas words and phrases in Switzerland 

If you are hoping to make Switzerland your forever home, you’ll need to be prepared for all the joys and quirks of Christmas in the alpine nation. Along with embracing local traditions and Christmas foods, one of the best ways to do this is by learning some local words.

To help you tell your Grittibänz from your Adventskranz, here are some Swiss Christmas words and phrases you need to know.

Swiss Christmas greetings

Christmas greetings in German-speaking Switzerland are a great place to start. Here are the most common ways to wish your friends and acquaintances well during the festive season:

• Schöni Wiehnacht - Merry Christmas
• Schöni Festtage / Frohes Fest - Happy Holidays

Bear in mind that there are many differences between Swiss and High German. For instance, instead of a hard T in Fest and Festtage, there tends to be a "shh" sound. So Schöne Festtage becomes Schöni Feshhtage. 

Lead-up to Christmas

The lead-up to Christmas in Switzerland is known as Advent time (die Adventsziit). Beginning four Sundays before Christmas, this is the time when families across the country start to begin preparations for the big day.

At home, this could involve setting up an Advent wreath (der Adventskranz). The wreath is a circular assembly of fir branches, decorations and candles. Traditionally, there are four candles on each wreath, and one is lit every Sunday during Advent. 

If you have a penchant for Swiss chocolate, early December may also be the time to begin your Advent calendar (der Adventskalender). In some Swiss towns, 25 different households, churches and businesses transform one of their windows into a decorative Advent window (das Adventsfenster), turning the neighbourhood into a giant Advent calendar. On the day each window is assigned, locals visit the display and the owners may put on refreshments and music.

Christmas markets and lights in Switzerland

Early December is also typically when Swiss Christmas Markets (der Weihnachtsmarkt, Wiehnachtsmärt, Wiehnachtsmärit) get into full swing. Along with selling homemade and artisan products (der Kunsthandwerke), the markets are famous for offering Swiss Christmas dishes, from raclette and fondue to mulled wine (der Glühwein, Glühwy, Glühwii) and hot roast chestnuts (die Heissi Marroni).

Alongside piping hot Glühwein and melted raclette cheese, Swiss cities and towns also switch on their stunning communal Christmas lights (das Wiehnachtslicht). The lights that sparkle over Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich are simply magical - they even have a name, Lucy. That said, the lights that adorn Basel, Geneva, Bern and Lausanne are equally as spectacular.

Samichlaus and Schmutzli

On the evening of December 5 ahead of St. Nicolas Day, children and children at heart across the alpine nation await the arrival of Samichlaus and his sidekick Schmutzli - the Swiss version of Santa Claus. Traditionally, children come to them and recite a small poem (das Sprüchli). These small poems are typically taught in Swiss schools, but many children choose to write their own.

Santa then asks the child whether they have been good in the last year and whether they promise to be good in the year ahead. In return for the poem and the promise, Samichlaus then gives the child a treat.

O Tannebuum, O Tannebuum

Moving ahead, people in Switzerland tend to put up their Christmas tree (der Chrischdboom, Christbaum, Tannebuum, Wiehnachtsbuum) between St. Nicolas Day on December 6 and Christmas Eve on December 24. As in the rest of Europe, the tree is typically decorated with baubles (die Christbaumkugeln or Kugeln), fairy lights (die Lichterketten), candles (die Christbaumkerzen) and tinsel (das Lametta).

Christmas Eve in Switzerland

December 24 is the big day in Switzerland when everyone gathers around the Christmas tree and opens presents both large (die Gschänk) and small (Gschänkli). Amid the unveiling of delights, some will take the opportunity to sing Christmas carols (die Wiehnachtslieder(li)). Some families also go to midnight mass at church, where there will traditionally be a nativity scene (die Wiehnachtskrippe). 

Bear in mind that thanks to Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli and other Protestant reformers’ aversion to the idolisation of saints, rather than Samichlaus, in most of Switzerland the Christ Child or Christkind is the one that gives presents. 

Whoever you’re expecting, make sure you write up a small wish list (der Wunschzetteli) and post it in good time. The Swiss postal service is happy to send your letter to Santa Claus (Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi) or the Christ Child (Himmelspforte 1, Wienacht), and you will get a reply!

Winter delights in Switzerland

With the wonder of the presents done and dusted, now it’s time to indulge in some delightful Swiss Christmas food! While each family will have their own spin on the perfect festive meal, there are several classics to bear in mind.

Starting with sweet treats, people across the cantons will create a myriad of Christmas cookies (die Guetzli), like Zimtsternen and Spitzbuebe. It is also traditional to bake Grittibänzen, small sweet breads in the shape of St. Nicolas.

On Christmas Eve and Day, meals can range from a Swiss Wellington (das Filet im Teig) or a beef roast (der Rindsbraten) to a raclette or fondue. The meal itself is typically washed down with white or red wine (das Wysswy, Rotwy) or various non-alcoholic beverages. 

For afters, why not enjoy a Swiss cherry schnapps (der Kirsch), a Schümli Pflümli - plum liqueur (das Pflümli) with coffee, cream, cocoa and sugar - or a hot chocolate (die Heissi Schoggi) to warm yourself before bed?

New Year’s greetings in Switzerland

New Year’s Eve in Switzerland is typically celebrated with copious amounts of cheese, wine and good cheer. The day is also one of the few when fireworks (die Feuerwerke) and firecrackers (die Böllern) are allowed to be used, turning the night into a cacophonous but stunning light show.

If you are at home, you will notice that a strange English comedy sketch called Dinner for One will take the prime time slot on Swiss television, before the countdown and party gets fully underway at midnight.

Want to wish someone a happy new year? Simply say e guets Nöis! or gleckliches nejohr!

All the Swiss words and phrases you need for Christmas

Needless to say, the festive period is one where the differences between Swiss and High German are on full display! Have a Swiss Christmas term you think we should add? Let us know in the comments below!

Thumb image credit: Taljat David / Shutterstock.com